i really like when people order the tasting menu. not only because the diner trusts enough of the chef to just cook for them, and not just because it allows the kitchen to show off a little by sending a lot of food out,
mostly i like the tasting menu format because within the many courses, the portion sizes are reduced and the dishes become minimized.
there is no longer the need to make a substantial portion. most times i feel that a dish is lost or muddled because the chef needs to "supersize" the dish in order to make the diner's experience worth the money.
a few components, various textures, three bites at the most, only what is necessary